Bodrum - Marmaris - Kekova - Bodrum 14 Day 13 Night Blue Cruise

Bodrum is the ideal starting point for sailing the Aegean coast of Turkey. The Gökova Gulf is acknowledged to be one of the best cruising areas in Europe. With abundant sunshine, crystal clear waters, continuous blue skies, good anchorages and friendly people, this coast offers many diversities. There are many unspoiled areas rich in natural beauty and in costal settlements and villages.Bodrum is a port city in Muğla Province, in the southwestern Aegean Region of Turkey. It is located on the southern coast of Bodrum Peninsula, at a point that checks the entry into the Gulf of Gökova. The city was called Halicarnassus of Caria in ancient times and was famous for housing the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Bodrum Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 15th century, overlooks the harbour and the marina. The castle grounds include a Museum of Underwater Archeology and hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year.

Knidos is one of the most magnificent ancient cities in Anatolia that you should visit. As the first settlement in the east of the Datca peninsula, Knidos has splendid ruins and a unique beauty. There is a theater is located right next to the harbor of the ancient city of Knidos. A short walk towards the harbor will take you to the remains of two churches built during the Byzantine period. Knidos century has been a site of archaeological excavations since 1960. The Statue of Demeter discovered here and the lion statues that protected the harbor in ancient times now adorn the halls of the British Museum. The sacred temple of the goddess Aphrodite is a major center of attraction. The city with a huge necropolis, a double harbor and the magnificent acropolis with the temple of Aphrodite truly impresses all visitors. Witness the world’s oxygen tank at Aktur! Spotted with pine trees, it definitely is a slice of paradise. In fact, it won the title of the ‘most beautiful bay inTurkey’ and proved to be a hot tourist destination. Aktur consists of two units, namely Datca and Kurucabuk, located at a distance of 4 km from each other.The Hisaronu bay is located very close to the narrowest strip of the Datca peninsula and separates the Gulf of Gokova from the Gulf of Hisaronu. Around 550 BC, it served as a defense line against the Persian army who wanted to capture both Hisaronu Gulf and the Gokova Gulf by digging kilometer long tunnel. Being a small island between the two gulfs, it definitely made a good point of defense. However, although the work was started with great effort, the city was ultimately conquered by the Persians.

Hayıtbuku, lying on the front side of the coast hosts many restaurants, hotels and businesses. The 500m long sandy beach are ideal to spoend a time with you loved one or family. Enjoy the underwater beauty of the finest beaches of Datca, located 17 kms away from Hayıtbuku. Hayıtbuku also has a chaste tree, untouched for years. The local town is also full of tourist attractions and facilities. But if you want a quiet and unforgettable holiday, watch the birds and partake of the natural beauty of the place, you can simply go for a nature trail and satiate your senses.

Bozukkale (Loryma) is an ancient city that dates back to 10 BC. There are nine towers of the castle walls extending in a mutually rectangular pattern. The castle and towers are very well preserved and appear in a solid state. ‘Kale’ means ‘corrupted’. Therefore, the name of the place may be attributed to the fact that one side of the castle is missing. Bozukale used to serve as a bay cruise stretch for British naval ships and is now considered as a shipyard on the shore. It was used as a place to watch all the yachts in theAegean. Its strategic geographical location and narrow port was also used by the ships sailing from theportofAthens. In 395 BC, the Athenian commander, Karori, is known to have come here. Before the Cnidus War of 305 BC, Demetrios, son of Antigonos chose this port for preparations before attacking Rhodes. Serce is where the Blue Cruise boats moor. The place offers a brilliant image of the bottom of the harbor ands is well protected from the harshest weather conditions. Underwater surveys and excavations have led to many discoveries including many centuries old glassware, which is now kept in the Bodrum Under water Museum.Sparrow Harbor is the place for such archaeological findings. About one kilometer ahead of Sparrow, on the right are the villages of Kırkkuyular and Sindilli, where many abandoned stone houses can be found. In Kırkkuyular, the region’s oldest residence, there are 40 cisterns. The water in this region is saline and unfit for animal husbandry and agriculture. The residents use the wells for household use.

Ekincik is an unspoiled natural wonder, blessed with breathtaking beauty. It is uncrowded, pretty and tranquil with a nice little beach nearby. The coastal road there is gorgeous too and is a good base for boat trips and walking tours.The 2 km long stretch of the unspoilt gravel beach meets a small harbor from which the boats departs to Dalyan, located approximately 45 minutes away. The scenery is stunning and there are many opportunities to observe the local wildlife. On the beach there is a small range of water sports facilities available including banana-boat and water-ski.You may join optional Dalyan Tour from here. You will be taken from your yacht by a small boat called “piyade”. Firstly arrive at Caretta-Caretta (turtle) beach and a take a swim stop here. You will enjoy the natural beauty of the delta as you sail along in the river boat. You will see the ancient Rock Tombs and finally arrive at mud baths to relax and be rejuvenated.

Located off the coast of Turkey and approximately 9 km from the city of Fethiye, Gemiler Island is known for its ancient ruins and remains of churches dating back to the 4-5 centuries AD. If archaeologist findings are to be believed, this is also the location of the original tomb of St. Nicholas. In the Middle Ages, the island was abuzz with trading ships and boats from the eastern, European and Eastern Mediterranean countries. St. Nicholas being the patron saint of sailors, this island was also known as St. Nicholas Islands in the medieval period.The Gemiler Island is a popular tourist destination since the Byzantine ruins can be seen from the sea. Other attractions of interest include over 40 ecclesiastical buildings and Christian tombs and a Church that was cut out directly from a rock located at the highest point on the island. The island has a bay that is shaped like a crescent and thus provides great anchorage. There is a makeshift restaurant that caters to sailors, boatmen and yachtsmen during summers. The bay to the east of the island has several small coves which make for idyllic anchorages – Bestas Limani is probably the most beautiful of them all, with rushing white surf and dazzling blue water. In days gone by, Bestas Limani was a popular refuge of the marauding pirates who plied their dastardly trade along this stretch of the coast as recently as the nineteenth century. Better known to local sailors as Cold Water Bay, on account of the numerous cold water springs that flow into the sea from the Taurus Mountains above it, swimming here is definitely an invigorating experience, especially on a very hot day. Jumping into the water from the rocks is a popular activity and hikers can walk to the abandoned village of Kayakoy, abandoned in 1923 by agreement between Greece and Turkey. It’s a ghost town now, its buildings crumbling as the forest encroaches.

Kalkan, founded on the banks of a bay, is worth seeing. It is a small but very pretty holiday resort and has a small yacht harbor, old Greek houses and holiday resorts. The traditional white-colored houses, shutters and balconies bursting with flowers present a picturesque view. The narrow streets are lined with souvenir shops. Go for a yacht cruise to witness breathtaking sunsets, enjoy an appetizing meal in a local restaurant or shop till you drop at the small shops selling interesting wares – you will never get bored in Kalkan. You will find many people in Kalkan earning their living by making soap with olive oils, cleaning guesthouses and hotels or working in restaurants that are visited by the blue cruise voyagers.

Kas is a small fishing, yachting and tourist town. Kas is built around the remnants of the ancient Antiphellos and surrounded by lofty, rugged cliffs. From a little port, it has prospered to an important tourist attraction and the second major resort of the region. It has a rocky coastline, which provides unhindered access to the gleaming waters of Mediterranean. Bestowed with contradicting aspects like sea and mountain, modern buildings and ancient ruins, this small resort exudes a special charm, which also comes from its easy-going, laid-back ambience.Here you will have the chance to walk around Kas , which was an old Greek Town, and to experience nightlife in Kas. Being one of the most important towns of Lycia, Kas gained importance in Roman Times and eventually bec ame the centre of Episcopacy in Byzantine times . Kas is a rich land with the surrounding cities that belong to the Antique period and with other historical values.

With beautiful bays and turquoise sea, nature and history dating back to thousands of years, Kekova is a natural paradise. After leaving Kas, you need to sail past Uluburun to get to Kekova. During the cruise, you will also encounter the ancient city of Aperlai in the Sicak peninsula and two islets of Kara Ada and Toprak Ada before ultimately reaching Kekova, which is a spot of paradise on earth. The bays of Kekova are a natural favorite harbor for yachts across all. Along the northern coast of Kekova lies the ancient city of Apolloniadating back to BC 4. Here you can see old summer houses and seaside homes. The towering Simena (Kaleköy) Castle is a great tourist attraction too. Theimussa is locatyed around 36 kilometers from Kas, (Ucagiz) bay and is surrounded on three sides by a natural shelter. Theimussa is of vital importance to the yacht tourism industry, since it provides access to the island of Kekova. Remains of castle walls on a low rocky hill, part of which is under the sea and a city at the east end pier is a must watch!

Known for its natural beauty, historic sites, sparkling sea and the focal point of greenhouse, Demre indeed is famous! Rejoice in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea located between the mountains and foothills of Demre and the sweet smell of spring flowers, lemon and orange. The children in the city bear traces of the Lycian civilization and are regarded as the protectors of the seas. St. Nicholas’s Church is regarded as the most important place to visit. Thousands of tourists visit the church every year to be hold the mosaics, vaulted halls and chambers and experience acoustic phonetics. You can stand at the bottom of the stage door of the tunnel and say a word and your partner can hear it at the very mouth of the tunnel! Located a few kilometers away from the town of Demre, Myra is a city that seems to be set into the rocks overlooking the sea – perhaps the best example of its kind in Anatolia! Spread over a large area and having tombs and Lycian inscriptions dating back to BC 5, Myra appears to be an ancient city. Under the Byzantine rule, especially in the 4 and 5 centuries, it has now become such a religious and administrative center.

Olympos has a great historical value. It has a 3200 meterlong beach, endemic plants, sporting events and wooden houses that are renowned all over the world. Olympos falls under the scope of conservation and therefore, construction is prohibited in and around this antique area. The beach is only a 10 minutes walk away from the ancient city. But it is highly recommended that you explore the city first before heading the beach. The Olympos beach is also a breeding ground for the endangered species of the Caretta Caretta turtles. Adrasan is an area of outstanding natural beauty, on the Lycian Way. It is truly a paradise for lovers of nature, walking or just relaxing on the beach. Tortoises cross your path when walking and the birds are plentiful. There is a mile long sandy beach with crystal clear, turquoise water, in the middle of one of the country’s national parks embracing nature and history.

Phaselis was founded as a colony of the Rhodesians in 7th century B.C. Phaselis has three different bays and its people used to earn their living from the sea. The city was also famous for perfume trade in ancient times. If you wish, you can walk around the antique town full of antique ruins which are located on the seashore.

Kemer only 42 km. south of Antalya, is an important tourism center with many hotels with a large capacity, holiday village and modern marina. The name has been given to the city of Turkish word for belt, due to the fact that the river that flows through the Kemer, looks like a belt.Only 20 years ago, it was charming Mediterranean village with two to three story houses lost among orange groves, facing the pine forest of the Toros Mountains.With the advent of tourism, the country changed rapidly. Three story buildings mushroomed in Kemer. Some of these buildings are hotels, other are businesses. All kinds of international products are sold in the ground floor shops of the town.Tourism dominates Kemer. In the cool evening hours, the town’s streets bustle with visitors and local alike, whose mill about the shops and coffeehouses.

The Antalya Region, offering all the mysticism of past in our day, is now called the “Turkish Riviera” due to its archaeological and natural beauties. Antalya is the place where sea, sun, history and nature constitute a perfect harmony and which also includes the most beautiful and clearest coast along the Medditerranean. The city still preserves its importance as a centre throughout history in the south coast of the country, in addition to its wonderful natural beauties. The mythological city which housed the Gods and Goddesses now exhibits all its secrets and marvels to mankind.Antalya and its surrounding is an important and noteworthy touristic centre on the Mediterranean Coast with its perfect climate and splendid harmony of archaeological, historical and natural beauties, throughout the year available.

The Antalya Region, offering all the mysticism of past in our day, is now called the “Turkish Riviera” due to its archaeological and natural beauties. Antalya is the place where sea, sun, history and nature constitute a perfect harmony and which also includes the most beautiful and clearest coast along the Medditerranean. The city still preserves its importance as a centre throughout history in the south coast of the country, in addition to its wonderful natural beauties. The mythological city which housed the Gods and Goddesses now exhibits all its secrets and marvels to mankind.Antalya and its surrounding is an important and noteworthy touristic centre on the Mediterranean Coast with its perfect climate and splendid harmony of archaeological, historical and natural beauties, throughout the year available.